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Off the Map

Play trailer Poster for Off the Map PG-13 Released Jan 22, 2003 1h 52m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 93 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
A decidedly unconventional family, the Grodins lead a secluded, self-sufficient existence in rural New Mexico. Bo (Valentina de Angelis) is a restless young girl. Her father, Charley (Sam Elliott), is mired in depression, and her mother, Arlene (Joan Allen), provides for the family by tending to their garden. Their simple, though not trouble-free, lives are disrupted when an Internal Revenue Service agent (Jim True-Frost) arrives, asking questions about their unusual lifestyle.
Off the Map

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Critics Consensus

Excellent performances mark this leisurely paced film.

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Critics Reviews

View All (93) Critics Reviews
Eleanor Ringel Cater Atlanta Journal-Constitution Quiet and quirky, yet refreshingly unpretentious, Off the Map is a welcome sojourn in a place that seems strange, yet entirely familiar. Rated: B Apr 28, 2005 Full Review Eric Harrison Houston Chronicle [A] lovely film, which hardly ever makes a move that feels wrong. Rated: 4/4 Apr 21, 2005 Full Review Bill Muller Arizona Republic A journey into an austere land of moviemaking where few artists dare go. Rated: 4/5 Apr 14, 2005 Full Review Tara Thorne The Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia) A quiet, moving character study, Off the Map never drifts into genre predictability and features uniformly excellent acting and sharp one-liners from screenwriter Joan Ackerman. Jul 11, 2016 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com You'll get more entertainment value by staring into your refrigerator than you will by watching this meandering meditation on what it means to be unclear on any concept you can dream up as you sleep through the movie. Rated: D Apr 16, 2009 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 3.5/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bill G Outstanding film. Almost all the characters are transformed and learn more about how the world works. Campbell Scott did an amazing job of bringing this play to life on the big screen Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/01/24 Full Review Ted B MY REVIEW: 4 stars; How do you make a movie that is so off-the wall, quirky, unconventional, unpretentious, and yet lovely and beautiful all at the same time? This movie certainly pulled it off. It is a character study, not of just a single person, but of all the characters in the movie. Two of the characters are in a severe depression. Yet you, as the viewer, are never drawn into a depression yourself. How unique! The plot is never rushed. Just slow and relaxed. But I never lost interest. The acting was superb, especially Sam Elliott and Joan Allen. Campbell Scott gave excellent Directorship. And, the rural New Mexico Cinematography was breathtaking. The movie is 20 years old. But the message is just as applicable today as it was then... 'Life is what you make it. Not what others make it for you.'. Strangely, to me, the film didn't win any major awards. But it was a big Film Festival hit across the country. It certainly has my vote!! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/25/23 Full Review Audience Member I loved it - just want to know where I can find it to see again. So annoying when describing to friends and family and can't show them. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Tony S A contemplative film about few charismatic people and their perspective on the life in a literal wasteland. Whether it's true freedom or just a new level of poverty, where your economic status stops even matter. Not for IRS, of course. No character is alike. And their interactions are what drives the film. An Old man with crippling depression, who is either disappointed with his ancap bartering life or the results of it. A wife, that lives and keep her family together for the little moments, like a coyote wandering into her naked gardening sessions. A tomboy, who's hobby is to scam companies for complementary packages and who thinks of nothing but getting away from there. An IRS employee, who buried his feelings because of the trauma he was exposed to, or thinks he was exposed. It's fascinating example of how to successfully translate a play to a silver screen. Even if a lot of really good narrative threads are just getting left behind or end up understated as it goes on. Beautiful soundtrack, gorgeous shots, great actors. A sublime theme about looking for none material values in life, that really tries to not scream at you with it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/24/21 Full Review Audience Member One of the best movies created. It is profound and has a natural flaw. Unique and beautiful. Realistic characters with deep emotions. I loved everything about this movie, and what I loved the most is that it is completely different from all the pretentious films big pictures put out. If you are not into hype , but into authentic art- this movie is for you. Enjoy ! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Humanistic view of depression. An unusual family tackles big issues with humor and a refreshing way of living in the world. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Off the Map

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A decidedly unconventional family, the Grodins lead a secluded, self-sufficient existence in rural New Mexico. Bo (Valentina de Angelis) is a restless young girl. Her father, Charley (Sam Elliott), is mired in depression, and her mother, Arlene (Joan Allen), provides for the family by tending to their garden. Their simple, though not trouble-free, lives are disrupted when an Internal Revenue Service agent (Jim True-Frost) arrives, asking questions about their unusual lifestyle.
Director
Campbell Scott
Producer
Campbell Scott, George VanBuskirk
Screenwriter
Joan Ackermann
Distributor
Manhattan Pictures International
Production Co
Holedigger Films Inc.
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 22, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.3M
Runtime
1h 52m